Archive: Around Town

The Sciencenter is making a big deal about the smallest science! Funded by a grant from the National Science Foundation, the Sciencenter conceives, develops, and tests educational activities that foster public awareness, engagement, and understanding of nanoscale science, engineering, and technology. These programs and activities reach over a half million museum guests throughout the U.S. during NanoDays. An annual science festival, Nanodays is held at over 300 science museums in the U.S., organized by the Nanoscale Informal Science Education Network (NISE Net), of which the Sciencenter is a lead partner.

NanoDays takes place in Ithaca on Saturday, April 6, 12 – 4 pm at the Sciencenter. Guests can explore nanoscale science and technology with 30+ hands-on activities, family-friendly presentations, and the Nano exhibition, all available in both English and Spanish. Admission to the Sciencenter is free for NanoDays.

A range of exciting NanoDays programs will demonstrate the special and unexpected properties found at the super tiny nanoscale, examine tools used by nanoscientists, showcase nano materials of particular promise, and invite discussion of technology and society.

Guests will explore how 3D images are made, investigate new nano products and materials, discover the technology behind an invisibility cloak, and imagine how the world would be different if we could build an elevator to space! Over 30 hands-on activities will be offered throughout the museum, delivered by Sciencenter staff, volunteers, and researchers from Cornell University (including the Cornell Center for Materials Research; the Cornell Institute for Biology Teachers; the Cornell NanoScale Science & Technology Facility; and the Cornell Grass Roots GK-12 Program.)

At noon toddlers and preschoolers are invited to hear bilingual readings of Dr. Seuss’s “Horton Hears a Who!” and then use their sense of smell to detect tiny things.

A special Showtime! Presentation at 2 pm, “Can Nanotechnology Be Fashionable?” given by Cornell Professor of Fiber Science, Juan Hinestroza, invites guests to learn how nanotechnology can change what fabrics can do – conduct electricity, trap dangerous gases, kill bacteria or create color without the use of dyes or pigments.

Following at 3 pm, Sciencenter educators will help demonstrate the nanotechnology used to make protective fabrics, known as liquid body armor. Nanoscientists are mimicking the phenomenon behind Oobleck— a goo that flows like a liquid, then acts like a solid when force is applied— in creating reinforced, flexible fabrics.

This community-based event is the largest public outreach effort in nanoscale informal science education and involves science museums, research centers, and universities from Puerto Rico to Alaska.

NanoDays celebrations bring university researchers together with science educators to create learning experiences for both children and adults to explore the miniscule world of atoms, molecules, and nanoscale forces. Most NanoDays events combine fun hands-on activities with presentations on current research.

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